Vadodara: The nine-day festival of Navratri began on Thursday with people across the state flocking to Garba grounds to participate in the celebrations. However, several issues were reported by the Khelaiyas (Garba players) at some of the most expensive events, including the Lakshmi Vilas Palace (LVP) Heritage Garba, United Way of Baroda, and several other venues.

The LVP Heritage Garba event, organized by the erstwhile Royal Family of Baroda on the palace grounds, is one of the most expensive Garba events in the state, with tickets costing over Rs. 4000 for male participants. Despite the high ticket prices, Khelaiyas who arrived to play Garba on the first day encountered several problems, from parking mismanagement to harassment by security staff. Due to poor parking management, people were forced to park their vehicles on the roadside and near dividers, leading to traffic jams.

Attendees of the event also faced parking issues, as the official Instagram page of the event announced that after 10:30 pm, no vehicles would be allowed inside the palace grounds. Furthermore, organizers specified that entry would only be through Gate No. 5 but did not provide clear directions for the location of the gate. This lack of information led to backlash from users on social media, who were left confused and frustrated.

One user commented, “Pls share the location of gate no. 5. U guys please communicate with proper details. Or else what’s the difference between u and other organisers..?”

Another user stated, “There are people over there at Gate no. 5 taking parking charges which is to unfair and look at the parking area its terrible, not able to drive a vehicle it’s too muddy, as usual expecting quick response from LVPHG team to resolve this issue by tomorrow.”

“Worst parking management, And how you people can decide entry exit time??? You charge almost double the price and deciding entry time and exit time of people. Its’s too much traffic over there how can people come before 10.30???,”” complained another user.

One attendee mentioned that the mismanagement was so frustrating that they felt like leaving even before reaching the ground.

Another user shared their feedback, saying, “the parking management is worst and also the hefty amounts charges for parking that also should not be there , and unnecessary harassment of Players & viewers done by Checkmate Security, & also threatening that once inside you will not be allowed to re enter , I would not consider this kind of management by Checkmate , this is the worst Management seen in last 2 years.”

With the enthusiasm for Garba, many attendees parked their vehicles on the roadside as early as 3 hours before heading to the venue, only to encounter muddy paths and bushes along the way. This suggests that no efforts were made by the organizers to ensure the comfort of participants. The area was so muddy that cars got stuck in puddles, causing additional traffic problems.

There were also only three exit gates, which required scanning passes for people to leave, creating crowded conditions. It was also noted that no proper arrangements were in place for fire emergencies on the ground.

A female participant commented, “This wasn’t the case in previous years. What will happen in a medical emergency? Scanning passes for entry is fine, but for exits, it’s wrong.”

Another Garba participant said, “The ground is okay, but the exit area is very small and needs to be expanded.”

Several Garba players expressed concern that a stampede could occur in case of an emergency, given there are only three exit gates compared to about 40 entry gates.

One user told the media that their pass broke while playing Garba. Questioning the quality, they said, “I paid Rs. 5000 for this pass, and it’s already broken. Look at the quality of this pass! I sought help from security, the lost-and-found office, and BookMyShow, but no solution was provided.”

In another incident at LVP, a Kheliya who had booked a pass through BookMyShow lost it on the ground. After approaching the lost-and-found department with no success, they were allegedly asked to pay Rs. 1000 by security staff, even after showing the booking details from BookMyShow. The attendee claimed that they were asked to pay Rs. 1000 in cash without being provided a receipt.

Similarly, at another highly celebrated Garba event, United Way of Baroda (Atul Purohit), Garba enthusiasts were left disappointed as the ground was muddy. Over 34,000 participants had to walk through a muddy pathway from the parking area to the Garba ground. Even before reaching the venue, costumes and dresses were soiled. To make matters worse, the same conditions persisted on the ground, with videos surfacing of people dancing in the muddy swamp. Attendees also complained about inadequate seating arrangements.

One participant highlighted the parking issues at United Way Garba, saying, “The arrangements are unacceptable, especially considering the fees paid for passes. It seems United Way will only last as long as Atul Dada is involved; after that, it will fade away. Just look at this ground—it’s impossible to walk here, let alone dance during Garba. Our costumes are getting ruined, and we’re slipping in the mud due to poor management.” DeshGujarat

Number of pass owners complained that due to poor quality of make of pass which has to be hanged while playing garba, they lost it in the ground and later when contacted the lost and found counter, they were asked to pay Rs. 1,000 for reissuance. The khelaiyas argued that once when they had paid Rs. 1400 around for female and Rs. 4700 around for male pass, and they had proof of this payment in their mobile phones, why they should repay such a hefty amount for reissuance of pass if it was missing in the ground due to poor quality of its make? The organizers are minting money, one of female pass owners said on social media. Some participants said the passes had bar code and they were non-transferable as every entry was scanned. If pass is missing, reissuance can’t be charged as high as Rs. 1,000. Photo of bar code in mobile phone can also be allowed for scanning in such cases, treating it as M ticket. But the organizers only want to create more and more difficulties for the people, while claiming they are into charity. Last year Wardwizard foundation was into management of the event and it was smooth. The Royal family is solely organizing the event this year and they are not able to offer basic management of affairs beyond the Garba ground.

હેરિટેજ ગરબામાં ફરી એક વાર પાસને લઈને હોબાળો

ગરબા રમતા મહિલાઓ પાસ ખોવાતા મેનેજમેન્ટ દ્વારા બીજા પાસના 1000 રૂપિયા માગતા હોબાળો

70 થી 100 મહિલાઓ અને પુરુષ ના પાસ ખોવાની વાત

હેરિટેજ ગરબાના બોક્સ ઓફિસ પાસે હોબાળો pic.twitter.com/VeqpoMTiuh

— Our Vadodara (@ourvadodara) October 4, 2024

8-year-old NRI girl manhandled by security staff; Father approaches the US Embassy

Now, another controversy has erupted at the LVP Garba after the security staff at the event threw out an 8-year-old NRI (non-resident Indian) girl from the grounds while she was playing Garba with her parents.

The security allegedly held the girl’s hand and moved her aside. After this, the girl’s parents had an argument with the security staff, which was even disrespectful towards them. The girl suffered injuries during this manhandling and was given treatment at SSG Hospital in the city.

Claiming that the Raopura police have not taken action in the matter, the father of the girl has approached the American Embassy. The emotional father said that his daughter has been traumatized and is now unwilling to play Garba.

The father of the girl said, “A lady from the organizing committee came and started taking my daughter aside by grabbing her hand. When we inquired why she was doing that, the woman demanded ID proof of my daughter. You know, when we go to play Garba, we don’t take our wallets, yet she forcefully took my daughter aside. We had gone to the ground after all security clearance. Yet, the female bouncer took my daughter, and more bouncers came and talked rudely, as if they have a license for Gunda-Gardi. I have come to the Raopura police; I had come yesterday also, but the police told us to settle the matter and only took my application. Today morning at 4, I called the US Consulate as my daughter is a US citizen, and manhandling is strictly prohibited, especially with an 8-year-old girl. The American Consulate has given me a guarantee that they will take the necessary steps.”

“I have also made the US consulate aware that 36 hours have passed, but no complaint has been filed,” he added.